Cascon Case LEB: Lebanon 1957-58

Status Quo Side: Government

Non-Status Quo Side: United National Front

Region: Middle East

Conflict Type: External Intervention

Issues in Dispute: Ethnic, Governance, Strategic

Phase 1: 1956

A 1943 National Covenant provided for political and
religious balance in government and public institutions between Christians and Muslims,
and Western and Arab cultures. President Camille Chamoun, a Maronite Christian, polarized
these factions by keeping ties with Britain and France after Suez [see
SUE] and accepting the Eisenhower Doctrine aimed at blocking Soviet penetration of the
Middle East. Pro-Nasserites, i.e. those who approved Epypt's links with the USSR, formed a
United National Front to oppose an expected unconstitutional Chamoun bid for reelection in
1958. The Front denied the validity of the government's victory in the June 1957
Parliamentary elections.

Phase 2: 6/1957

Rising opposition led to riots and street fighting
allegedly provoked by Egypt and Syria. The US sent arms. Tensions escalated after Egypt
and Syria formed the United Arab Republic (UAR) in February 1958 and invited Lebanon to
join.

Phase 3: 5/8/1958

The Front called a general strike protesting assassination
of a prominent leftist. Rioting spread from Tripoli to Beirut. Clashes became widespread.
The Army Commander Fuad Chehab kept the Army relatively uncommitted. Chamoun sought
Western aid and, in the Arab League and UNSC, alleged armed infiltration. The UNSC sent
observers (UNOGIL) to prevent illegal movement of troops or arms into Lebanon. The July 14
Iraqi coup, which ousted the US-backed Hashemite monarchy, prompted the dispatch of US
forces to defend US lives and Lebanese independence. The landings were peaceful and
clearly the crisis had been exaggerated. On the domestic side the situation crisis eased
as Chamoun made way for Fuad Chehab as President. On August 8 US troops began to leave as
the UNGA took up the matter. New violence from the right began in September.

Phase 5: 10/14/1958

A compromise Cabinet eased the crisis. US troops had left
by October 25. The June 1960 elections reinstated the earlier political balance.